Fight Over James Bond Rights Ends

Beverly Hills studio Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and Santa Monica production company Danjaq on Friday said they have completed the acquisition of all rights to the character of James Bond held by the estate and family of the late Kevin McClory.

McClory, an Irish screenwriter who died in 2006, is credited with co-writing and producing 1965’s “Thunderball” and 1983’s “Never Say Never Again.” He successfully sued for credit for Ian Fleming’s novel “Thunderball,” proving it was based on the script he had co-written with Fleming and another writer.